Guidance

Govt stakeholder engagement

Published 30 September 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unlocking-space-govbridge-resources/govt-stakeholder-engagement

1. Government Stakeholder Engagement

This briefing provides an overview of how to effectively engage with UK government stakeholders, particularly in the context of political and defence-related initiatives.

1.1 Understanding the Front Door to Government

Engagement with government begins with understanding the key entry points:

  • Your Local MP: Engage with the Member of Parliament representing your business location. They can be a valuable advocate.

  • Parliamentary Debates: Monitor upcoming debates relevant to your sector and notify your MP with supporting materials.

  • Committees: Identify and follow relevant parliamentary committees, such as the Defence Select Committee or APPGs (All-Party Parliamentary Groups).

1.2 Government Structure

The UK government comprises:

  • 24 Ministerial Departments, including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and others.

  • 20 Non-Ministerial Departments and 422 Executive Agencies, such as the UK Space Agency and the Met Office.

  • The MOD alone works with 25 agencies and public bodies, including executive agencies, advisory bodies, and public corporations. These are as follows:

  • Executive agency​

  • Defence Equipment and Support​

  • Defence Science and Technology Laboratory​

  • Submarine Delivery Agency​

  • UK Hydrographic Office​

  • Executive non-departmental public body​

  • Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust​

  • Atomic Weapons Establishment​

  • National Army Museum​

  • National Museum of the Royal Navy​

  • Royal Air Force Museum​

  • Single Source Regulations Office​

  • Advisory non-departmental public body​

  • Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors​

  • Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body​

  • Independent Medical Expert Group​

  • Nuclear Research Advisory Council​

  • Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons​

  • Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees​

  • Public corporation​

  • The Oil and Pipelines Agency​

  • Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd​

  • Other​

  • Advisory Group on Military and Emergency Response Medicine​

  • Central Advisory Committee on Compensation​

  • Defence Nuclear Safety Expert Committee​

  • Defence and Security Media Advisory Committee​

  • Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCA)​

  • Service Complaints Ombudsman​

  • Service Prosecuting Authority

1.3 Committees and Influencers

Key groups to engage with include:

  • Defence Select Committee: Oversees defence policy and spending.

  • APPG on Defence Technology: A cross-party group focused on defence innovation. Contact details and membership are publicly available.

  • Ministerial Boards and Councils: These include the Defence Board, Defence Council, and various strategic and audit committees.

1.4 Taking Action

To build effective relationships:

  • Be proactive and professional—reach out with relevant, timely information.

  • Invite MPs or stakeholders to events or site visits.

  • Track their interests and parliamentary activity using tools like Hansard.

  • Only write when you have something meaningful to contribute.

  • Follow relevant APPGs and Select Committees to stay informed.

1.5 Debates

  • Monitor debates relevant to your sector.

  • Notify your MP and provide supporting material.

  • Use Hansard to track debates: https://hansard.parliament.uk/search/Debates?house=commons

1.6 Committees

  • Defence Board

  • APPG Defence Technology

  • Defence Council

  • Defence Select Committee

  • Defence Audit and Risk Assurance Committee

  • People Committee

  • Investment Approvals Committee

  • Executive Committee

  • Defence Delivery Group

  • Defence Safety & Environment Committee

  • Strategy Development Group

  • Defence Nuclear Board

  • Finance Committee

1.7 APPG – Defence Technology

  • Members and public contact: James Clark, APPG Secretariat Services Ltd.

  • Email: secretariat@defencetechappg.org.uk

  • Website: https://www.defencetechappg.org.uk/

1.8 Defence Select Committee

  • Members and events listed at: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/24/defence-committee/events/
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